Whitefly-transmitted geminivirus of watermelon in Sudan
Severe outbreaks of a yellowing disease of watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) have been observed in the Gezira state in central Sudan and Gash Delta in eastern Sudan. Symptoms were characterized by a severe yellowing, stunting and inward leaf curl. The presence of this disease was associated with high populations of Bemisia tabaci (EPPO A2 quarantine pest). The disease was also found on other cucurbits (Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis melo). Disease incidence reached up to 100 % in the late summer crops located in Gezira and in early winter crops in Gash Delta. A geminivirus has been isolated from the affected plants and the first results showed that it is closely related to watermelon chlorotic stunt geminivirus which occurs in Yemen.
Sources
Dafall, G.A.; Lecoq, H.; Kheir-Pour, A.; Gronenborn, B. (1994) A whitefly-transmitted geminivirus associated with a yellowing disease of watermelons in Sudan.
Arab and Near East Plant Protection Newsletter, FAO, no. 19, p 39.